Improved cotton-press



i frameremoved.

UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE0 SOLON DIKE, OF COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.

IMPRovEo coTToN-PRESS.

.Y Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 30,394, dated October 16, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SoLoN DIRE, of Columbia, in the district of Richland and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton and other Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing and arranging the several parts of my press in the manner hereinafter set forth.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l represents a side elevation. Fig. 2 represents a top view with a portion of the upper part of the vertical standards or supports erected upon said bottom.

L L represent cross-bars7 which are secured between the vertical standards of the frame, as

represented in the drawings. The bars L L are placed sufficiently wide apart to allow of the wheels a a of the trucks E E to-pass backward andlforward between them,said wheels a. L being made to roll upon the lower bar L.

I. P IJ P represent four metallic rods or bars,

which are 'placed vertically within the limits of the frame, and which connect the foot-block d to the head-block e. The foot-block d forms the bottom of the cotton-box.

B represents the cotton-box, which is made in any of the usual forms, and in any known manner.

G and C represent metallic frames, to which the levers Fand D are attached or secured at one end, the frame G being secured to the under side of the head-block c, and the frame C being secured to the upper side of the presshead R. The levers D D connect the frame O to the trucks E E, and the levers F F connect the frame G to the said truck, as represented in Fig. 1,in such a manner that when'the trucks approach each other, running upon the lower bar L, the levers cause the two frames G and C, and consequently the head-block c and the press-head R, to recede from each other; but

at thefsarne time they cause the foot-block d Fior. 3 is a view of a bearing Y (upon which the eottonboX is erected) and the press-head R to approach each other. The reverse is of course followed with the contrary effect. Then the trucks are removed from each other, the levers cause the foot-block d, and consequently the press-head R, to recede from each other.

K K represent two cords, (onebeing secured to each truck,) which pass around pulleys c c at the extremities of the bars L and connect with a cord, K,which latter cord passes around a capstan, M. These cords are for the purpose of ydrawing the trucks apart or toward the extremities of the bars L L.

J T represent cords secured to the opposite sides of the trucks, which pass around the pulleys b b, and which serve to draw thetrueks together. The cords J J connect with acord, J, which passes around the capst-an M, also in an opposite direction from the cord K. Vhen the eapstan M turns, it will be readily seen that one of the cords is wound around itA while the other is unwound.

H represents a guide-bar, which passes through the head-block e, the frameG through a horizontal bar, N, which crosses the bars L L and is secured rnily in the frame C, or in the press-head R, attachedto it. The object of the bar H is to guide the head R and frame G, and keep them in proper line with the cotton-box, with each other, and regulate the motion at all times of the levers F and D.

A bar projects horizontally from the bottom of the frame A, and a bar, N, parallel to it, projects from the frame a short distance from its top, as seen. Between these two bars the eapstand stands, having its bearings in each. The upper end of the capstan may be surrounded, as seen in Fig. 3, with a collar,which is filled with friction-rollers, against which the end ot' said eapstan has its bearing. As the capstan revolves, the friction-rollers turn and follow each other around and around in the collar.

It will be understood that the rod or bar H is not intended at all for applying power to the press-head It. It is only intended as a guide for the press-head, and for keeping the several parts ofthe press described in proper position. This rod may have bearings at several points along its extremity for the purpose of keeping it in a true vertical position,where by it isalways enabled to keep the levers in proper position and the head in direct line L L, and operating in connection With the with the cotton-box. levers F Fand DD, frames G and C, guide-rod Hwingthus fully described my invention, H, and cords K and J, substantially its and what I claim as new, and desire to secure by for the purpose speeied. Letters Patent, isl 3. In combina-tion with the subject of the l. The employment of the guide-rofl H, opf second claim, the arrangement of the oapstan erating and secured in the manner herein rep- M, operating substantially as specied.

'resented,for the purpose of directing the press- SOLON DIKE.

block R, and for keeping the levers F and D in Vitnesses:

, proper position, substantially :Ls specified. C. M. ALEXANDER,

2. The trucks E E, secured between the bars D. R. PRATT. 

